Book Review: Crescendo - Becca Fitzpatrick

As I mentioned, I received a shiny (the cover really is shiny) signed copy of crescendo that I’m delighted to give it a review.



Great start to the sequel with the murder of Nora’s father. We wanted to know more since the first novel and it’s immediately revealed that his death is linked to the dangerous world of angels – the plot thickens.

The book then starts from where it left off which is a nice touch. Naturally, everyone wants to know about Patch and Nora and the reader hasn’t missed anything. I hate when stories leave out the ‘happy months’ after the first novel and immediately go into the drama. Great! We knew they happened but a couple of paragraphs about summer days snuggling on the beach doesn’t really cut explain much does it? At least we know the happy period didn’t last long and there’s trouble from the onset. Understandable, when a fallen angel/come guardian angel is trying to have a sneaky relationship with his protected. So although the novel starts with a blissful relationship we all know it inevitably won’t last long. Fitzpatrick tackles this well. It’s usually the guy who’s the sensible one and breaks it off but Nora manages to beat him to it. In light of the Arch Angels threatening Patch if he doesn’t end the relationship she quickly decides to end it herself (lessening the heartache by making it quick and ensuring Patch doesn’t stay with her but at least stays alive!) Clever girl! Reminds me of a Buffy plot! But surely they have to find some way to get back together?

Of course, trying to keep away from the guy you love is never easy. Especially for a teenage girl and especially when he decides to spend his new found freedom in the company of your slutty arch rival – Marcie Millar (cue for girl drama). It’s not often you get a girl fight in a fantasy novel. I found it pretty entertaining! Nora suddenly plays the typical girl writhed with jealously. She becomes consumed with the fact that Patch is suddenly with Marcie and becomes obsessed with finding out what’s going on. This annoyed me a little as it seemed obvious to me that Patch was performing some angelic duty. But fair enough! At least she doesn’t sit sulking in her room and Fitzpatrick really captures the emotional rollercoaster of being a teenage girl in love. The truth is her irate behavior and snap decision are a little annoying and get her in trouble but they also make her character interesting and exciting. I didn’t like the sensible Nora. I like the Nora that goes to pool halls with random boys to prove she’s cool and breaks into people’s bedrooms to find their secrets.

Fitzpatrick’s Patch is as ever, delightfully mysterious, sexy and secretive. His attitude to the break up is handled brilliantly. He comes off uncaring and cold to Nora but to the reader he seems to be acting like an adult trying to handle the situation; it is obvious there is more to the story than Nora is aware of. He refuses to be drawn into the unnecessary drama that Nora creates in her angst.

The great thing about these novels is they manage to mix the everyday drama and angelic drama really well! In the midst of worrying about demonic and angelic attacks, Nora still manages to worry about buying a car, landing a job and getting one over on Marcie Millar.

Another irritation about Nora during the novel is her inability to reaction to threats. During the novel, Nora keeps having glimpses of her dead father. One of these sightings turn into a supernatural attack but at no point does Nora think she should mention it to someone. Anyone. Nor does she realize it’s strange that Patch doesn’t notice the danger and come to the rescue? Stupid things like that get heroines killed. Not to mention she didn’t get a punch in during the girl fight!

The main thread in this novel is Nora’s quest to find out who killed her father. She receives a mysterious note claiming the murderer is The Black Hand. Could it be that Patch is The Black Hand? All clues lead to him… This is a brutal blow to Nora. Fitzpatrick has set up the worst kind of betrayal. I really was swaying from yes to no. He couldn’t have done it? Could he? Maybe? The brilliance of the novel is that Patch really does appear capable of anything.

The end is a good twist. And the setting is great. The mythology of the nephilim, archangels and fallen angels, progresses and it’s a plot that has potential for an epic fantasy if Fitzpatrick hadn’t gone down the Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy root.

I think this is the success and the downfall of a novel like this. People who want a paranormal romance might find it falls short of a novel enthralled in romance whereas readers who love a good plot with a love line thrown in are going to be slightly put off by the huge focus on Patch and Nora. I personally think the Hush Hush series does well to tick all the boxes. It has an original idea that is undoubtedly evolving; a great love story; and a firm grasp on the elements you need for an urban fantasy.

What I also found interesting in the novel is it had the sequel feel to a novel series and not a trilogy. If the series was a trilogy it should have packed more punch. Crescendo sits well against other fantasy series for a sequel. Not as good as the first but leaves you excited for the third. And just over the horizon you feel a bigger plot could immerge. If it is a trilogy I'll be disappointed. It has more potential than that.

Plus, Crescendo has a cliffhanger that guarantees you will be buying the next book! You have been warned.

Can I buy it now please?

Book Review: Hush Hush - Becca Fitzpatrick

Didn’t you know Angels are the new Vampires?

I’ve just finished the sequel to Hush, Hush so I thought I’d do a quick review in preparation for the second novel.

Everything is going to get compared to Twilight – especially if it’s a paranormal romance. Becca Fitzpatrick by no means breaks the stereotype of the teen paranormal romance but I think this book is the best in the genre (at least the ones I’ve read).




Synopsis:
Falling in love was never so easy . . .or so deadly.

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.


So why am I such a fan? To start, it’s well written. Fitzpatrick took five years creating this novel and it shows.

For young adult fiction the book is dark. It’s dangerous. The atmosphere is intense and the plot is actually pretty twisted. The love interest Patch isn’t just a dangerous being. He’s dangerous full stop. He spends the book playing with Nora like a cat plays with a mouse. Unfortunately, he’s a very charming cat. The appeal of Patch is that you are actually scared of him. But you still secretly want him. You shouldn’t. But you do anyway.

This kind of plot is always going to strike some controversy. It’s wrong to promote your heroine to fall in love with someone who’s no good for her. And considering Patch wants to kill her… He really is NO good for her! However, if this book was an adult novel, fantasy or not, we wouldn’t be questioning this. Some of the greatest novels are centered round the heroine falling for the wrong guy. The guy that is trying to seduce her. The guy with the shocking past. The guy who she can never truly be with… The truth is falling for that guy; the wrong guy; is great suspense and great reading. The sexual tension in Hush, Hush is unbelievable.

Suspense is the key to this novel. It has a crime thriller feel. Nora knows something is going on; she just needs to figure out what. And she does try. Branching out from the sensible girl next door, she takes on a Nancy Drew style sleuth role. I think people who have criticized Nora as a strong lead are overlooking this. She does go out her way to figure out the truth. Furthermore, she doesn’t trust Patch. Yes, she does want to and she puts herself in dangerous situations because of this. But she would get in these situations regardless. Patch can do whatever he wants. He’s immortal and she can’t escape. She doesn’t ignore his behavior; she recognizes Patch turning up constantly is stalking. So does the book. It’s never overlooked as romantic - it’s sinister and Nora strives to discover the truth behind it.

Fitzpatrick leaves you successfully guessing up to the last moment (apart from the angel part, which is hardly surprising considering the front cover). The Nephilim plot is interesting. It’s a new idea that hasn’t been done before which made the book refreshing. This plus the angel angle. It’s not exactly as astounding a concept as Philip Pullmans Dark Materials but at least it’s not another Zombie or Vampire book which is getting old.

The settings are well described and make a successfully eerie yet urban landscape. You can imagine every in horror movie overtones from the amusement park and to Nora’s home in the middle of nowhere. The plot also makes for a realistic plot for a teenager. Meet ups are arranged by text and sharing car rides presents problems getting home.

The other characters create some amusement in the novels which reminds me of PC Cast’s House of Night series. Vee is a vivacious character who brings fun into the book and also Nora’s’ life.

I really enjoyed this book. Young Adult fiction should be addictive. A story you have to read in one night. This definitely left me tired in the morning.